title: Effect of a new pelvic stabilizer (T-POD®) on reduction of pelvic volume and haemodynamic stability in unstable pelvic fractures.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Pelvic fractures, often the result of high energy blunt trauma, are associated with severe morbidity and mortality. A new pelvic stabilizer (T-POD®) provides secure and effective simultaneous circumferential compression of the pelvis.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this study we describe 15 patients with a prehospital untreated unstable pelvic fracture with signs of hypovolaemic shock with the T-POD®. Before and 2 min after applying the T-POD®, heart rate and blood pressure were measured. An X-ray before and directly after applying the T-POD® was made to measure the effect on reduction in symphyseal diastasis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Application of the T-POD® reduced the symphyseal diastasis with 60% (p = 0.01). The mean arterial pressure (MAP) increased significant from 65.3 to 81.2 mm Hg (p = 0.03) and the heart rate declined from 107 beats per minute to 94 (p = 0.02). Out of ten patients in whom the circulatory response before and after the T-POD® was recorded, seven were good responders, one had a transient response and two responded poor.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In the acute setting, the T-POD® device has a clear compressive effect on the pelvic volume in unstable pelvic fractures. The T-POD® is therefore an effective and easy to use device in (temporarily) stabilizing the pelvic ring in haemodynamically unstable patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery - Division of Trauma Surgery, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, Nijmegen, The Netherlands. E.Tan@chir.umcn.nl
authors.forename: Edward C T H
authors.initials: EC
authors.lastname: Tan
authors.forename: Sander F L
authors.initials: SF
authors.lastname: van Stigt
authors.forename: Arie B
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: van Vugt
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005592:Fracture Fixation / Q000379:methods*; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D050815:Fractures, Compression / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D006439:Hemodynamics; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009104:Multiple Trauma / Q000601:surgery; D009989:Orthotic Devices / Q000592:standards*; D010384:Pelvic Bones / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000293:injuries / Q000601:surgery*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014949:Wounds, Nonpenetrating / Q000601:surgery; D055815:Young Adult